Differential gearing.



No. 808,047. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905. F. M. HALDBMAN a B. W.' BROCKBTT.

DIFFERENTIAL GEARING.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.29.1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 808,047. Y PATENTED DEG. 19. 1905. F. M. HALDEMAN & B. W. BROCKETT.

DIFFERENTIAL GBARING.

APPLICATION PI-LED SEPT. 29. 1905.

lull IIII No. 808,047. PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905. F. M. HALDEMAN (Sz B. W.BROGKETT. DIFFERENTIAL GEARING.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29. 1906.

3 SHEETS--SHEBT 3 NITED STATES PATENT onirica.

FRANK M. HALDEMAN AND BLUFORD W. BROCKETT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

DIFFERENTIAL GEARING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1905.

Application filed September 29, 1905. Serial No. 280,582.

To (/,ZZ whom/ t muy concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK M. HALDEMAN and BLUFoR-D WV. BRooxE'rT,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Differential Gearing, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

It has been found in practice that the rear axles of motor-vehicles whenmade straight spring or sag out of alinement on account of the severestrains brought to bear upon them due to the weight of the car and thetransmission of the power to the rear wheels through the differentialgearing. ln fact, the presence of the gear-casing itself weakens themachine at this point to such an extent that it is next to impossible toprevent this sagging in the straight axle, even though it may be soslight that it is not noticeable to the eye. This sagging causes eithersome give in the gear-casing itself or some springing of theaxle-sections themselves and of their casingtubes, with the result thatin the one case the driven gears are amm'ed against the planetaries,causing the cutting or wearing of the same, and in the other case theaxle-sections are sprung out of alinement, causing the cutting out ofthe bearings, to say nothing of the loss in power transmitted to thedrivingwheels. To obviate these disadvantages and to give additionaldesirable features of construction, the entire rear-axle casing isformed into a truss by inclining the axle-section casing tubes downwardfrom the differential gear-casing at the center and extending tierodsfrom these casing-tubes at a point near the wheels to the lowerportionof the lower half of the gear-casing. ln this truss theaxlesection casing-tubes and differential casing form thecompression-chord, and the tie-rods form the tension-chord. By thisarrangement of the rear-axle casing all springing and sagging is doneaway with and the gearing is free to run without any undue friction.This feature has a further advantage in the fact that the rear wheelsup-on the ends of the axle-sections are inclined or dished outwardly atthe top, which, aside from improving the looks and the symmetry of thecar, makes the rear wheels track with respect to the front wheels, thelatter being dished for the purpose of facilitating the steering of themachine. This dishing of the wheels, as it is called in the trade, hasbeen accomplished, to the best of our knowledge, only by the use ofuniversal oints in the axle-sections, devices which are undesirablewhere they can be avoided.

In view of the foregoing the present invention relates to a constructionhavin(T the inclined axle-sections and the dished wheels without the useof universal joints in any form by inclining the gears on the inner endsof the axle-sections and arranging the differential mechanism in thedriver in such a manner that it will accommodate itself to suchinclination.

Another very'important feature of this invention is the employment ofspur-Gear differential driving mechanism directly upon the maindriving-shaft, which runs through the casing from front to rear, ismounted in suitable bearings therein, and crosses the centers of thedriven gears.

lt is also a feature of the invention to include this differentialdriving mechanism between the two gears and wholly within the peripherythereof, thus making the application of the power to the driven partsmore direct and positive in its application aside from producing a verypractical construction.

More specifically, the invention relates to the substitution ofspur-gearinCr in the differential driving mechanism for the purpose ofpermitting the beveled driving pinions to move endwise without affectingthe mesh of the driving-pinions of the differential driving mechanism.

The invention may be further briefly summarized as consisting in theconstruction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth in thefollowing description, drawings, and claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the lower halfof the differential gear-casing, showing the gearing therein in section.Fig. 2 is a section upon the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, showing theaxle-sections in elevation. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the rear-axleconstruction, showing the rear wheels and the inclined axle-casingtubes. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form ofexternal gear differential driving mechanism. Fig. 5 is a side elevationof the same with IOC some of the parts broken away and some incross-section, and Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. j

Any preferred form and construction of parts may be employed in thecarrying out of our invention; but We have shown one form in thedrawings which very effectively performs the necessary functions, and insuch embodiment 1 and 2 represent the rear wheels of an automobile ormotor-vehicle, which are secured in the usual manner to the axlesections3 and 4, extending through the casing-tubes 5 and 6, rigidly secured tothe lower half 7 of the gear-casing, the. latter being split on the lineof the driving mechanism, to be described. All of the mechanism,including the differential driving mechanism, is mounted within the twohalves 7 and 8 of the gear-casing and between the driven gears upon theinner ends of the axle-sections.

The casing-tubes 5 and 6 and the axle-sections 3 and 4 are inclineddownward from the gear-casing at the center, as shown in Fig. 3, and thewheels 1 and 2 are keyed or otherwise secured to the same in planeswhich are at right angles to the axes of their respective axle-sections,thereby dishing the wheels or inclining them outward at the top.

Truss-rods 9 are connected to the eyes 9a upon the lower half 7 of thegear-casing and to eyes 9b rigid with the axle-casing tubes 5 and neartheir outer ends for the purpose of bracing the rear-axle constructionand forming a truss thereof.

The axle-section 3 and 4 are mounted in suitable roller-bearings 4a inthe casing and are provided at their inner ends with driven gears 10 and11, respectively, of unequal diameters, as will later appear and as setforth in Figs. l and 2. Screwing onto the hubs of the gears 10 and 11are the bearing-rings 1.0a and 11a and check-nuts 10b and 11b, thelatter serving to retain the bearing-rings in any adjusted positionagainst the balls 10C between them and the stationary cups 10d and 11.By means of these adjustable bearings the gears 10 and 11 may beadjusted to and from their drivers to account for any wear. It willbe'seen from the foregoing that the inclination of the axle-sectionsnecessarily throws these gears 10 and l1 at an angle to the centralvertical plane of the gear-casing and also at an angle to each other.

Extending substantially diametrically through the casing from front torear is the main driving-shaft l2, having suitable rollerbearings 12abetween it and the'casing and carrying loosely the driving-pinionsleeves 13 and 14. These sleeves 13 and 14 carry the driving-pinions 15and 16,1espectively, meshing with the driven gears 10 and 11. The

sleeve 14 is provided withathreaded end portion 14, adapted to receivethe threaded bearing-ring 14h and the check-nut 14C. Suittion 13 toreceive the threaded bearing-ring 13b and check-nut 13, and suitableballs between the bearing-rings 13h and a cup 13d secured in the casing,are adapted to take the thrust of the pinion 15. The sleeves 13 and 14are further provided at their inner ends with internal driven gears 17and 18, respectively, which are keyed to theirrespective sleeves, andbetween these internal gears and the main driving-shaft 12 is mountedthe differential driving mechanism. This differential driving mechanismconsists of a spider 19, keyed to the main driving-shaft 12 by means ofa key 19a, (shown in section in Fig. 2,) and a pair of side members 20and 21, suitably secured one on each side thereof and supporting thepins 22 for carrying the planetaries 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. Theseplanetaries have teeth which are sufficient in length to mesh with theircorresponding internal gear and to extend beyond the same forsubstantially a like amount, so that the teeth of the pinions 24, 26,and 28 will mesh with the internal gear 17 and will extend beyond theedge of the teeth thereof and into mesh with the teeth of the pinions23, 25, and 27, which in turn mesh with the internal gear 18. Thisdifferential mechanism operates in a well-known manner to produce anequalized drive to the axle-sections 3 and 4.

In the modification of the device shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, 29 and 30represent the driving pinions, which operate upon the driven gears andare provided, respectively, with sleeves 3l and 32, having upon theirinner ends external spur-gears 33 and 34. Between the inner ends ofthese sleevesand their gears just described is the driving-spider 35,keyed to the main driving-shaft 36 and having three radial portions 35a.These radial portions 35a overhang the main spider portion, as shown inFig. 6, and are provided upon the side faces thereof with arc-shapedflanges 35h, which form a broken annular flange for centering the ringsor members 37 I and 38 for supporting the pins 39 carrying the spur-gearplanetaries 40. These planetaries are similar to those already describedbut for the fact that they mesh with the external gears 33 and 34 uponthe sleeves 3l and 32.

Having described our invention, we claimM 1. In a differential gear, thecombination with the axle-sections, of driven gears upon saidaxle-sections, beveled driving-pinions diametrically opposed to eachother with respect to said driven gears for driving the same, and spurgear differential driving mechanism for said pinions wholly within theperipheries of said driven gears.

ICO

soep@ 2. In a differential gear, the combination With the axle-sections,of driven gears upon the same, beveled pinions for driving said drivengears, a main driving-shaft supporting said pinions and crossing saiddriven vgears diametrically, and spur-gear differential drivingmechanism operated by said shaft for driving said pinions and arrangedWholly Within the peripheries of said driven gears.

3. In a differential gear, the combination with the axle-sections, ofdriven gears upon the same, a shaft suitably mounted and crossing thefaces of said gears diametrically, beveled driving-pinions upon saidshaft for driving said driven gears, and spur-gear differential drivingmechanism mounted upon said shaft for operating said pinions andarranged Wholly Within the peripheries of said driven gears.

4. In a differential gear, the combination with the axle-sections, ofdriven gears upon the same, beveled pinionsfor driving said gears, ashaft supporting said pinions and crossing said driven gearsdiametrically, and

spur-gear differential driving mechanisml for operating said pinions.

5. In a differential gear the combination with the axle-sections, ofdriven gears upon the same, a main driving shaft suitably mounted andcrossing the faces of said gears diametrically, a beveled driving-pinionloose upon said shaft for driving one of said driven gears, anotherbeveled pinionvloosely mounted upon said shaft for driving the other ofsaid driven gears, and spur-gear differential driving mechanism foroperating said pinions.

6. In a differential gear, the combination With the axle-sections, ofdriven gears upon the same, a main driving shaft suitably mounted andcrossing the faces of said gears diametrically, beveled driving-pinionsloose upon said shaft, a spur-gear rigid with each of said pinions,planetaries meshing with said spur-gears, and means carried by saidshaft for driving said planetaries.

7. In a differential gear, in combination, inclined axle-sections,driven gears for the same, beveled pinions operating upon said drivengears, a main driving-shaft supporting said pinions and crossing saiddriven gears diametrically, and spur-gear differential driving mechanismoperated by said shaft for driving said pinions and arranged WhollyWithin the peripheries of said driven gears.

8. In a differential gear, in combination, inclined axle-sections,driven gears upon said sections, a main driving shaft suitably mountedand crossing the faces of said gears diametrically, beveleddriving-pinions loose upon said shaft, a spur-gear rigid With each ofsaid pinions, planetary pinions meshing With said spurgears, and meanscarried by said shaft for driving said planetaries.

9. In a differential gear, in combination, inclined axle-sections,driven gears upon said sections,a main drivin g-shaft suitably mountedand crossing the faces of said gears diametrieally, a beveleddriving-pinion loose upon said shaft for each of said driven gears, anexternal spur-gear rigid with each of said pinions, planetary pinionsmeshing with said external spur-gears, and means carried by said shaftfor driving said planetary pinions.

10. In a differential gear, the combination with the axle-sections, ofdriven gears upon said sections, a main driving-shaft suitably mountedand crossing the faces of said gears diametrically, beveleddriving-pinions loosely mounted upon said shaft,spurgears carried bysaid pinions for operating the same, a spider driven by said shaft,pin-supporting rings mounted upon said spider, pins carried by saidrings and planetary pinions mounted upon said pins.

l1. In a differential gear, the combination With the axle-sections, ofdriven gears upon said sections, a main driving-shaft suitably mounted,beveled driving-pinions for said driven gears and mounted loosely uponsaid shaft, a spur-gear rigid with each of said pinions, a spider' keyedto said shaft, pin-sup porting rings carried by said spider, pinsmounted in said rings, and spur-toothed pinions upon said pins andmeshing with said spur-gears.

12. In a differential gear, the combination With the inclinedaxle-sections, driven gears upon said sections, a main driving-shaftsuitably mounted and crossing the faces of said gears diametrically,beveled driving-pinions loosely mounted upon said shaft, a spur-gearrigid with each of said pinions, a spider rigid with said shaft, andspur-toothed planetary pinions carried by said spider for operating uponsaid spur-gears.

13. In a differential gear, the combination with the casing, of inclinedaxle-sections, driven gears upon the same and mounted in said casing, amain driving-shaft crossing the faces of said gears and mounted inbearings arranged Without the peripheries of .said driven gears, beveleddriving-pinions loosely mounted upon said shaft and adapted to drivesaid driven gears, spur-gears rigid with said pinions, a spider keyed tosaid shaft, pinsupporting rings secured to said spider, pins mountedtherein, and planetary pinions carried by said pins and adapted to meshWith said spur-gears.

14. In a differential gear the combination with the casing, of inclinedaxle-sections and driven gears mounted thereon, a main driving-shaftcrossing the faces of said gears diametrically and mounted in bearingsarranged IOO IIO

Without the peripheres of said driven gears, In testimony whereof Weaffix our signabeveled drvngepnonsloosely mounted upon tures in thepresence of tWo Witnesses. said shaft and adapted to drive sad dvenFRANK M HALDEMA ears, a s urear ri d With each o sai inl 5 gons, asgdexg keye to said shaft betwpeen BLUFORD W' BROCKETT' said pnons andtheir spur-gears, planetary Witnesses: supporting-rings carried by saidspider7 and R. M. CALFEE,

planetary pinions mounted in said rings. BRENNAN B. WEST.

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